UnREAL returns on Lifetime for a second season with two strong female characters – expert manipulator Rachel Goldberg (Shiri Appleby) and her demanding executive producer Quinn King (Constance Zimmer).
Set against the backdrop of popular dating competition, “Everlasting” (a Bachelor-like franchise), producers Rachel and Quinn are out once again, pulling the strings behind-the-scenes to do whatever it takes to get those dramatic and vital footage to drive their show’s ratings. The plot lines are about to get even more intriguing, and the schemes reaching a new high, but what’s even more exciting is lead star Shiri Appleby making her directorial debut on the series.
“It’s not every day you get a chance to direct your own show,” and for Shiri, “it certainly is a dream come true. I’ve been trying to direct for many years. I knew that a very easy way to get a job would be to star in a television show and have it be a success.” Though it was her first time taking the director’s chair, she certainly felt all the love and support from her cast mates, “The actors of the show were nothing but incredibly gracious and they really worked with me.” She says, “I think we’ve told a really great story.”
With “Director” now added to her glittering portfolio, Shiri proves she is just as driven as her character when it comes to achieving her goals. “I think Rachel is an incredible character,” she says. “She is definitely manipulative, but she’s an incredibly strong, smart woman.”
Every woman on the show has an agenda and Rachel is no different whether it be taking control of her own life after an almost career-ending incident or even trying to outdo and outsmart her own mentor, Quinn. “Rachel definitely wants to prove that she’s capable of doing whatever it is Quinn is capable of,” says Shiri of her character. “She thinks she can run a network or be higher up in the entertainment industry.”
It’s a tumultuous race to the top for each of the characters, from the returning producers to the new batch of contestants. Expect to see them all fight for their rightful spot on set even in the most appalling yet twistedly brilliant ways. What ensues is another eye-opening look at the outrageous world of unscripted television, where being a contestant can be vicious and being a producer is a whole other reality.
Shiri says, “It’s really just trying to cover a lot of ground but at the same time being incredibly ambiguous and not trying to force messages down anyone’s throat.” The success of the show is attributed to its sexy, and highly thought-provoking storyline.
UnREAL Season 2 pulls out all the stops with the most provocative twists, and daringly touches on topics that haven’t been highlighted enough, or at all, in television such as mental health, race, and feminism. This season explores more of these issues especially as it casts its first African-American suitor named Darius Hill, an All-American football star played by B.J. Britt.
Also, returning as series regulars are Craig Bierko as “Everlasting’s” creator, Chet, who is on a quest to reclaim his full power on set; Josh Kelly as Jeremy, “Everlasting’s” director of photography; and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman as Jay, a field producer whose ambitions run far beyond the show.
UnREAL broadcast same day as in the U.S., every Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on Lifetime available on SKYCable Ch 65 and Lifetime™ HD Ch 199; Cable Link Ch. 223; Dream Satellite Ch 28; Destiny Ch 44.
★★★★★
SM Cinema joins GMovies roster of theater partners
SM Cinema, the country’s largest chain of movie houses, has joined GMovies roster of theater partners, giving users of the mobile movie booking app a faster and easier way to buy tickets from any of over 300 SM theaters nationwide anytime at their convenience.
For the SM Cinema partnership, Globe Telecom’s mobile money solution GCash will initially be the exclusive payment gateway for GMovies users. GCash will be used in tandem with ePLUS, SM’s integrated e-wallet and loyalty system to give SM Cinema patrons another way to enjoy the movies.
SM Cinema operates over 300 2D and 3D screens, 8 IMAX Theaters and 13 Director’s Club Cinemas for a total market share of over 50 percent.
“We are always looking for ways to provide the best experience for our customers, thus, it is a big win for GMovies to have SM Cinema on board since it gives our users from all over the Philippines more options to choose from. With SM Cinema as a partner, GMovies now covers 77 percent of movie theaters nationwide,” said Glenn Estrella, vice president of Globe Digital Ventures, which offers GMovies.
“This is just the start of a more dynamic partnership with Globe and its services. Both our companies are committed to providing a more convenient and rewarding access to entertainment. ePLUS with SM Cinema and GMovies with GCash will work together towards building a cashless society,” said Sahara Jean Garnica, assistant vice president, SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. managing ePLUS.
GMovies is an all-in-one solution for movie tickets on the go. It is the only platform in the Philippines that aggregates movie ticket booking capabilities for multiple cinema chains. The mobile app allows users not only to purchase movie tickets and reserve seats at their favorite cinema whenever they want and wherever they may be but also keeps them updated with the latest and upcoming blockbusters to hit the theaters. It can be downloaded for free from App Store and Google Play.
To purchase seats from SM Cinema, simply select movie schedule, branch, and preferred seat/s; select GCash as payment option; and log into GCash and confirm transaction. GCash load will automatically be converted to ePLUS movie credits. The user will receive an e-ticket via email which will also be saved in their phone gallery. For ease of access, patrons can just go straight to the cinema and tap their e-ticket at the ePLUS reader.
SM Cinema will go live in GMovies website and Android app. The iOS app will follow after two weeks.
For more information about GMovies, please visit www.gmovies.ph.
